Federal Job Qualifications

The exact qualifications for different levels of federal jobs depends on the type of job. For a detailed description of the various qualification standards, see the Operating Manual of the Office of Personnel Management. However, what is given below gives a general sense of qualifications for lower level jobs.

Please Note: The section on Superior Academic Achievement . Good grades make you eligible for an excellent entry level job.

Qualifications for Different Levels in the U.S. Government

The exact qualifications for different levels of federal jobs depends on the type of job. For a detailed description of the various qualification standards, see the Operating Manual of the Office of Personnel Management. However, what is given below gives a general sense of qualifications for lower level jobs. Note the section on Superior Academic Achievement . Good grades make you eligible for an excellent entry level job.

GS-4: You must have 6 months of general experience AND 6 months of specialized experience OR have successfully completed 2 years of education above high school at an accredited college/university that included 12 semester hours in subjects such as American history, science, and/or public speaking.

GS-5: At the GS-5 grade level, you must have one (1) year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal Government. The experience requirements for the GS-05 level may be met by successful completion of four years of education above high school in an accredited college or university in any field in which high school graduation or the equivalent is a prerequisite.

GS-6: At the GS-6 grade level, you must have one (1) year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal Government.

GS-7: At the GS-7 grade level, you must have one (1) year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal Government.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Defined as experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position or has provided familiarity with the subject matter.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Defined as experience that involved skills that are directly related to job you are applying for.

Ways to Qualify

By education alone: Applicants wishing to qualify by education alone must provide, a copy of your college diploma or a list of all college courses with grades and credits (indicate quarter/semester hours and GPA, names of all colleges and universities attended including city, state, major(s) and type and year of degree(s) received) MUST be submitted. A certified copy is not required.

Combining education and experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements.

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level is fully qualifying at the GS-7 level. To qualify for SAA, you must have completed all requirements for a bachelor's degree, and meet one of the following:

A grade point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.

A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.

Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision.

Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.